Gradually I realized it was about the meaning of money in modern society, and Suelo sounded somewhat prophetic, a man with depth and heart. As “Men’s Journal” says, “He is not a conflicted zealot or a principle aesthete, but a “contented man who chooses to wander the Earth and do good.”

His life of radical simplicity is 21st century Walden tale, sure, but it sounds like the author has given some rich, topical context to the story.

“Sundeen paints Daniel’s portrait against the canvas of recent social and financial trends in America,” writes Damien Nash, Sunelo’s best friend, in a customer review of the book on Amazon.com. They first met 25 years ago at the University of Colorado, where they were roommates.

“He interrelates trickle-down Reaganomics, the rise of neo-Conservatism, the Religious Right and multinational corporations with the Occupy movement, the Rainbow gathering, social welfare programs, the growing rich-poor gap and “freegans” around the world. Before reading this book, it never occurred to me how Daniel’s life has consistently reflected the zeitgeist of our age.”

Two big themes of the book are money and spirituality, and the CPR conversation really makes you think. I have no desire to live this radically, and there are valid points made whether Suelo is “mooching” off society when he uses the library or the computers at the library, both of which are paid for by taxes of people who work for a living. Also, when he gets old, and his health goes, then what? But I was so riveted by this thought-provoking interview that I can’t wait to read the book. Of course, Suelo style, I use the public library, the Denver Public Library, where I’m No. 24 on the wait list.